Sunday, January 30, 2011

SALVADOR DA BAHIA

Is also known as the "Capital of Happiness". It was the first colonial capital of Brazil before Rio de Janeiro and is s city of huge contrasts.
 
Salvador is the most African of Brazilian cities because it is the closest to the African Continent. As part of the "trade triangle", England sent ships down the west coast of Africa to Senegal where natives from the Indian tribes were sold to the English. The English put them on their ships and took them to Salvador da Bahia in South America where they were sold as slaves in Pillory Square. Six black women equaled one black male. Today, 87% of the population in Salvador have black ancestry.
 
The African influence intertwined with Brazilian culture is evident in Bahia. A popular African ritual is "candomble" sometimes called voodoo by foreigners.
 
Our first stop was a visit to the Farol da Barra, one of the most famous lighthouses in Brazil. From there we continued on to the Pelourinho District (Old Town). There we visited the Church of Sao Francisco, built in the 17th Century. It was built by slave labor and took 28 years to complete. Its opulent baroque interior features cedar wood carvings covered in 600 kilos of gold leaf. It was so over-the-top and dazzling, a sight for sore eyes!
 
We photographed ourselves with the African ladies dressed in colorful native costumes and head-dresses. A truly memorable visit.
 
 

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